Wireless
broadband to face hilly terrain on South Coast

THE National
Broadband Network gained some momentum on the South Coast last week as NBN Co
unveiled the local government areas where planning proposals will be lodged for
fast wireless broadband.

Still no word
however on the fixed, fibre network in the area and it is unclear how the
wireless system will cope with the hilly terrain already so challenging to
mobile service.

Subject to final
planning and other approvals, NBN Co plans to deliver access to fast broadband
via its fixed wireless network to parts of the Eurobodalla, Bega and Shoalhaven
council areas, with facilities currently expected to be switched on in stages
starting from mid-2015.

Over the coming
months, NBN Co and its design and construction partners will work with local
governments to identify appropriate locations for fixed wireless network
infrastructure.

NBN Co
spokesperson Michael Tyler said the fixed-wireless service could bring access
to better broadband to the bush.

“More farms, residents
and businesses can look forward to having access to faster internet with the
NBN expanding its broadband footprint in NSW’s South Coast region,” Tyler
said.

“For decades,
rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications.
The fixed wireless service is designed to provide access to internet speeds and
bandwidth that many in the big cities currently take for granted.

"The NBN
also means you can get the whole family on line at once, opening up
opportunities for local farms, businesses and the wider region to participate
in the digital age. Fast broadband can help deliver improved access to health,
education and entertainment over high quality video links.”

Eurobodalla Shire
Council welcomed the announcement by NBN Co.

“We are very
pleased the Eurobodalla is to be included in the next stage of NBN’s fixed
wireless network rollouts across NSW,” mayor Lindsay Brown said, adding that no
dates are available yet for the NBN’s fixed line which will service the majority
of the shire.

“Our community
will benefit greatly from the NBN as it is rolled out. “Fast, reliable
broadband will open up numerous opportunities for local businesses to compete
alongside their metropolitan and international counterparts and also increase
access to online medical services.”

Brown added that
council is continuing its series of economic forums that provide businesses
with opportunities to increase their skills.

“Council is
committed to helping our local economy grow and with this in mind we are
working closely with businesses in the Eurobodalla to help them take advantage
of emerging opportunities such as the NBN.”

Federal Member
for Eden Monaro Peter Hendy also welcomed the announcement.

“I am very
pleased to note that this much needed infrastructure will offer retail service
providers download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second - the download speed
promised by the Coalition during the federal election last year,” Dr Hendy
said.

NBN Co’s
wholesale fixed wireless service offers retail service providers download
speeds of up to 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of up to 5 megabits
per second.

NBN Co also plans
to deliver these wholesale speeds to retail service providers over satellite in
rural and remote areas when its Long Term Satellite Service goes live,
currently scheduled for 2015.

Fixed wireless
services are delivered by radio communications via antennas that transmit a
signal direct to a small outdoor antenna on your home or business.

Before the
network equipment is installed a service validation test will be carried out,
those premises which are unable to be served by fixed wireless may be able to
receive NBN Co’s satellite service.
Visit www.nbnco.com.au/satellite for more information.

In fixed wireless
and satellite areas copper phone lines will remain in place to provide a
landline telephone service.

NBN Co’s fixed
wireless and satellite networks are designed to serve communities with low
population density where it is impractical or uneconomical to roll out fixed
line technologies.

A standard
installation of NBN equipment is currently free of charge. Remember to ask your
preferred provider if they have any other fees.

For further
information about NBN Co and construction plans, visit www.nbnco.com.au